Who Owns Peterbilt?
Peterbilt is a premium truck brand of PACCAR Inc (Nasdaq: PCAR), the commercial vehicle manufacturer headquartered in Bellevue, Washington. Founded in 1939 and acquired by PACCAR in 1958, it produces heavy and medium-duty trucks for North America, one of the two iconic American truck brands alongside Kenworth. Parent FY2025 revenues were $28.4 billion.
Parent Company
Acquired
1958
Status
Publicly Traded
Peterbilt Timeline
Who Owns Peterbilt?
- Parent Company: PACCAR Inc
- Ownership Type: Acquired
- Acquisition Year: 1958
- Company Type: Publicly Traded
- Stock Ticker: NASDAQ: PCAR
| Brand | Parent Company | Ownership Type |
|---|---|---|
| Peterbilt | PACCAR Inc | Acquired |
Where to Buy
Disclosure: We may earn commission from purchases
Peterbilt on AmazonHistory of Peterbilt
- Founded: 1939
- Founders: T.A. Peterman
- Acquired by PACCAR Inc: 1958
T.A. Peterman founded Peterbilt in Oakland, California in 1939, starting with trucks built for logging operations in California's redwood forests. The name combines the founder's surname with a nod to the era's truck naming conventions.
The brand developed around style and owner-operator appeal: Peterbilt's long-hood conventional trucks became the aspirational image of American trucking, with the distinctive oval badge and polished aluminum styling that made them status symbols among independent drivers as much as work vehicles.
PACCAR's 1958 acquisition brought the resources for national expansion. Peterbilt grew into a national premium brand, with the Denton, Texas plant becoming the primary Class 8 manufacturing site and the brand establishing particular strength in the owner-operator and small fleet segments where image and resale value drive purchases.
The current lineup includes the 579, 389, 567, and medium-duty models plus battery-electric trucks, all built on PACCAR platforms including the MX engine family. The 389 continues the long-hood tradition that defines the brand's styling identity.
About PACCAR Inc
What does PACCAR own?
PACCAR owns Kenworth, Peterbilt, and DAF truck brands, plus PACCAR Parts and PACCAR Financial Services. It also manufactures PACCAR engines.
Is PACCAR publicly traded?
Yes. PACCAR trades on Nasdaq under ticker PCAR and is a component of the S&P 500.
Who founded PACCAR?
William Pigott Sr. founded Seattle Car Manufacturing Company in 1905. It acquired Kenworth in 1945 and Peterbilt in 1958.
Where is PACCAR headquartered?
PACCAR is headquartered in Bellevue, Washington, USA, in the Seattle area.
Who owns PACCAR?
PACCAR is owned by public shareholders. Preston Feight serves as CEO.
What is PACCAR's revenue?
PACCAR reported FY2025 revenues of $28.44 billion with net income of $2.38 billion and adjusted net income of $2.64 billion.
How many truck brands does PACCAR own?
PACCAR operates three truck brands: Kenworth and Peterbilt for North America, and DAF for Europe and international markets.
- Founded: 1905
- Headquarters: Bellevue, Washington, USA
- Company Type: Publicly Traded
- Stock: NASDAQ: PCAR
- Revenue: $28.4 billion (FY2025)
- Employees: Approximately 26,000
Where Is Peterbilt Made / Based?
- Headquarters: Denton, Texas, USA (manufacturing); Bellevue, Washington, USA (parent)
- Manufacturing / Operations: Denton, Texas, USA, Chillicothe, Ohio, USA, Mexicali, Mexico
Peterbilt Categories & Tags
Peterbilt Recalls & Controversies
As a truck manufacturer, Peterbilt's issues are product recalls and industry regulation.
Safety recalls: Periodic NHTSA recalls for component defects occur across the product line, handled through the dealer service network as standard industry practice.
Emissions compliance: Truck emission standards drive engineering investment, with Peterbilt electric and clean diesel models addressing the regulatory environment.
European cartel legacy: The parent's $264.5 million FY2025 charge relates to European truck cartel litigation affecting DAF rather than Peterbilt specifically.
Brands Owned by PACCAR Inc
AutomotiveDAF Trucks
Owned by PACCAR Inc
European truck brand of PACCAR Inc, producing heavy and light/medium-duty cab-over-engine trucks for European and international markets.
trucksheavy-duty-truckseuropean-trucks
AutomotiveKenworth
Owned by PACCAR Inc
Premium heavy and medium-duty truck brand of PACCAR Inc, producing iconic American Class 8 trucks for the North American market.
trucksheavy-duty-trucksclass-8
Peterbilt Ownership: Pros & Cons
Advantages
- +Premium styling and brand image command pricing power and resale value
- +Iconic long-hood conventional aesthetic defines American trucking's aspirational image
- +Combined Kenworth-Peterbilt 30% North American share leads premium segment
- +Strongest position in the owner-operator segment where brand matters most
- +Backed by PACCAR's 87-year profitability streak
- +Electric trucks in production for the regulatory transition
Considerations
- -Premium pricing limits volume versus value brands
- -Class 8 truck market is highly cyclical
- -Styling-focused positioning may matter less to large fleet buyers
- -Shares North American market with Kenworth under the same parent
- -Electrification requires substantial product investment
Frequently Asked Questions About Peterbilt
Sources & Further Reading
Competitors to Peterbilt
These competing brands operate in the same categories and provide similar products or services. Compare key attributes to understand market positioning and competitive landscape.
| Brand | Parent Company | Country | Founded | Market Position | Primary Market | Gender Target |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paccar | USA (parent) | 1923 | Market leader | United states | All-ages | |
| Paccar | USA (parent) | 1928 | Market leader | Europe | All-ages | |
| General Motors | USA | 1911 | Mass market | Global | Unisex | |
| Ford Motor | USA | 1903 | Mass market | Global | Unisex | |
| General Motors | USA | 1992 | Premium | United states | All Genders | |
| Rush Enterprises | USA | 1965 | Premium | United states | All Genders |
Learn More About Competitors
AutomotiveKenworth
Owned by PACCAR Inc
Premium heavy and medium-duty truck brand of PACCAR Inc, producing iconic American Class 8 trucks for the North American market.
trucksheavy-duty-trucksclass-8
AutomotiveDAF Trucks
Owned by PACCAR Inc
European truck brand of PACCAR Inc, producing heavy and light/medium-duty cab-over-engine trucks for European and international markets.
trucksheavy-duty-truckseuropean-trucks
AutomotiveChevrolet
Owned by General Motors Company
American automotive marque founded in 1911, General Motors' largest brand, producing cars, trucks, and SUVs including Silverado, Equinox, and Corvette.
automakervehiclestrucks
AutomotiveFord
Owned by Ford Motor Company
Flagship vehicle marque of Ford Motor Company founded in 1903 by Henry Ford, maker of the F-Series trucks, Mustang, Bronco, and Explorer.
automakertrucksf-series
AutomotiveHummer
Owned by General Motors Company
American automotive brand producing electric trucks and SUVs under the GMC division of General Motors.
suvelectric-vehicletrucks
AutomotiveRush Enterprises
Owned by Rush Enterprises
Largest network of commercial vehicle dealerships in North America, operating Peterbilt and International truck centers.
truck-dealershipcommercial-vehiclespeterbilt
Competitive Analysis
Market Positioning: Peterbilt competes with 6 brands in the same categories, ranging from mass market to luxury positioning.
Geographic Distribution: Competitors are headquartered across multiple regions, indicating global competition in this market segment.
Brand Heritage: Competitor brands range from established heritage brands to newer market entrants, with founding years spanning several decades.
Independent Alternatives to Peterbilt
Looking for brands with different ownership structures? These similar brands are not owned by PACCAR Inc, giving you alternative choices that support different corporate structures.
AutomotiveCummins
Owned by Cummins Inc.
Master brand of Cummins Inc., covering diesel and natural gas engines, power generation systems, and components for trucks, construction, agriculture, and data center backup power.
diesel-enginespower-generationtruck-engines
Publicly Traded
Cummins operates independently without a large parent corporation.
AutomotiveGenesis
Owned by Hyundai Motor Group
South Korean luxury vehicle brand specializing in premium automobiles, owned by Hyundai Motor Group.
luxuryautomotivepremium-vehicles
Privately Owned
Genesis is privately owned, unlike Peterbilt which is under a publicly traded parent company.
AutomotivePenske Automotive
Owned by Penske Automotive Group, Inc.
Flagship automotive retail brand of Penske Automotive Group, operating franchised dealerships across the United States and internationally under the Penske name.
car-dealershipautomotive-retailnew-cars
Publicly Traded
Penske Automotive operates independently without a large parent corporation.
AutomotiveRush Enterprises
Owned by Rush Enterprises
Largest network of commercial vehicle dealerships in North America, operating Peterbilt and International truck centers.
truck-dealershipcommercial-vehiclespeterbilt
Publicly Traded
Rush Enterprises operates independently without a large parent corporation.
AutomotiveCarMax
Owned by CarMax, Inc.
Consumer-facing used vehicle retail brand of CarMax, Inc., the largest used car retailer in the United States with more than 250 stores nationwide.
used-carsauto-retailcarmax
Publicly Traded
CarMax operates independently without a large parent corporation.
AutomotiveInterstate Batteries
Owned by Interstate Battery System of America
American battery distributor founded in 1952, specializing in automotive, commercial, and consumer batteries, headquartered in Dallas, Texas.
batteriesautomotive-batterieslead-acid-batteries
Privately Owned
Interstate Batteries is privately owned, unlike Peterbilt which is under a publicly traded parent company.
PACCAR Inc Stock Information
Jobs at PACCAR Inc
Latest News About Peterbilt
Related Articles About Peterbilt
View more articles
Global
Regional Brands That Got Swallowed by Multinationals
La Serenissima is now Arcor/Danone. Innovist is now L'Oreal. Zabka is being bought by Couche-Tard for $8.6B. S Brands is now Wipro. Discover regional brands swallowed by multinationals. Explore our database.
Who Brands StaffSep 26, 2026
GlobalAcquisitionsBrand Ownership
Global
Why Some Global Brands Have Different Names Abroad
Lay's is Walkers in the UK. Burger King is Hungry Jack's in Australia. KFC is PFK in Quebec. Mr. Clean is Don Limpio in Spain. Discover why global brands have different names abroad. Explore our database.
Who Brands StaffSep 24, 2026
GlobalInternationalBrand Ownership
Global
Brands That Mean Different Things in Different Countries
Fila is premium in Taipei but budget in Europe. Muller yogurt means indulgence in Italy but health in Germany. Starbucks' Tank Day caused boycotts in Korea. Discover brands that mean different things in different countries. Explore our database.
Who Brands StaffSep 23, 2026
GlobalInternationalBrand Ownership
People Also Searched
Discover popular brands and companies in the Automotive category and related searches from other users.
Brandperformance-cars
Abarth
Iconic Italian high-performance automotive brand specializing in sporty variants of Fiat vehicles, known for its racing heritage, distinctive scorpion logo, and recent expansion into electrified performance models.
Brand in Automotive
italian-brandsporty-vehicles
Brandzero-emissions
Accelera
Zero-emissions technology brand of Cummins Inc., covering battery-electric powertrains, fuel cells, and electrolyzers under the Destination Zero strategy.
Brand in Automotive
electric-powertrainfuel-cell
Brandluxury-cars
Acura
Acura is the luxury vehicle division of Honda Motor Company, launched in the United States in 1986. It was the first Japanese luxury automobile brand sold in North America and is currently sold in the USA, Canada, China, and a limited number of other markets.
Brand in Automotive
hondajapanese-brand